How does this compared to the ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe? I see that Performance-PCs has it in stock for $219 USD. And the non-deluxe model is only $180 USD which IMO seems to offer the same kind of stuff as this Auzen card @ $250...

You can connect this to your recevier 3 different ways...
Analog, through breakout cable, S/PDIF Digital od HDMI 1.3 connection which gives you DD+ Dolby HD and DTS Master in both LPCM and Bitstreaming formats.
You all get all the gaming standards of the X-fi processor.

Looking too good to be true...lol...what's the breakout cable look like?

I'm gonna have to check one out. It's this or ASUS for cards like this, and the added X-Fi processor might make this one win out...I'm still a bit leary of cards with both audio and video in the same package..on a what, 8-layer PCB?

I also smell config nightmares, but from both sides...HTPC use, gaming, media creation, and media steaming, just don't all work together nicely yet...Drivers are a HUGE part of this product.

Breakout cable has output for 8 channels(7.1), 1 input for line, 1 input for mic.
Really all the video is doing is being passsed through and integrated into the cable. I don;t hink there is any type of controls or optimizations on the video.